The Triple Crown, referring to the batting achievement when a player leads a league in batting average, home runs and RBI's, is one of the hardest achievements to earn in the entire MLB. Since the MLB was created in 1869, the award has been won just 16 times by 14 different players. The latest to do it was Miguel Cabrera back in 2012, who was the first winner in 45 years.

Red Sox outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez is currently contending for the Triple Crown this season. Martinez would be the third Red Sox to do so, joining Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski.

Batting Average
1. Rookie Betts - .3352. J.D. Martinez - .335
Martinez currently has a comfortable lead in the RBI category and trails Oakland's Khris Davis in the home run category by one. Teammate Mookie Betts (.33547) has the slightest lead on Martinez (.33531) in the race for the batting title.

While Martinez is obviously closing in on the American League Triple Crown, he also has a legitimate chance for the "global" Triple Crown. The global Triple Crown would mean Martinez leads the entire MLB in home runs, RBIs and batting average, which has been achieved since five times, last by Mickey Mantle in 1956.

Martinez is on a historic pace in his first year in Boston, helping the Red Sox to a MLB best 97-44 record through 141 games. The Triple Crown is clearly in reach for the slugger, along with the A.L. MVP.